Emily Brinton
Vice President of Product Development and Merchandising · The Outdoor Recreation Group
Long Beach, CA
In My Own Words
Meticulous Product Developer and Merchandiser, skilled in leading a team of designers to take product assortments from A to Z. Serve as a visionary, guiding cross-functional teams to make on trend, high quality, cost effective, functional products and point of purchase deliverables on tight timelines. Industry experience includes Entertainment, Sporting Goods and Outdoor.
Work Experience
Vice President of Product Development and Merchandising
The Outdoor Recreation Group2019 – 2022
• Responsible for creating the vision behind all pack and accessory programs 1 to 3 years out. This includes Camping, Back to School, Fishing, Hunting, Electronics, Moto • Set direction with industrial product designers, graphic designers, photographer/videographer and marketing to bring the vision to life • Coordinated sampling with overseas partners • Created target costs and retails based on desired gross margin (for both my company and the customer) • Conceptualized the story for each product/program from initial presentation to final look at the store/online level • Drove sustainability initiatives • Drove color direction as well as pattern development • Drove packaging design • Lead all marketing campaigns • All of the below
Director of Product Management
The Outdoor Recreation Group2016 – 2019
• Oversee the life cycle of over 300 cut and sew wearable products, and accessory/hard goods for a 70-million-dollar company in the following categories: Outdoor/Camping, Back to School, Hunting, Fishing and Travel/Urban Commuter • Directly responsible for the Product Design/Development Team - 3 - 5 industrial product designers and 1 overseas product developer • Directly responsible for the Graphic Design/Point of Purchase Team - 1 project manager, 1 graphic creative lead, 3 - 5 graphic designers and 1 photographer/videographer • Research and build new product/project line plans based on current and predicted future market trends for both specialty and mass market • Create product briefs that define target unit costs and retail price points that ensure a profitable gross margin • Travel internationally to educate overseas partners on sample protocol, prioritization sample and broad view costing strategies • Coordinate cross-functional teams through the product line changes encountered in product design phase, customer line review phase, product creation/set up phase and final production hand off • Manage major tradeshow logistics by overseeing booth design, selection of product guide styles and color, product guide layout, product sample requests, lifestyle video and photography shoots, product merchandising and overall costing strategy
Product Manager
The Outdoor Recreation Group2011 – 2016
• Assist in overseeing the life cycle of over 300 cut and sew wearable products as well as accessory/hard goods for the following categories: Outdoor/Camping, Back to School, Hunting, Fishing and Travel/Urban Commuter • Support Sales accounts such as Academy, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sports Chalet, REI, The Sport Authority. • Provide current trends as well as trends on the horizon for both specialty and mass market • Time Manage 3 - 5 industrial product designers • Assist in packaging development with the graphics team • Cost engineer and finalize product with factories overseas
Product Manager
HeadStart Licensed Products2008 – 2011
• Serve as the liaison between Corporate buyers and overseas factories to manufacture baseball caps, screen-print t-shirts and various accessories for retail and sports specific arenas • Conduct the process of product development from initial creative briefing through delivery at destination • Oversee 2 product managers locally and 1 manager in Hong Kong and help the movement of their accounts run smoothly • Manage an import/export production team in Hong Kong to ensure safe transit to locations all over the world • Coordinate pricing, minimum order quantities, and product sourcing • Schedule labeling, QC and shipments through customer specific databases
Creative Services Manager
Paramount Pictures2006 – 2008
• Home Entertainment International territories liaison • DVD design and layout coordination for back catalogue and TV product • Work with vendors worldwide to ensure that the time and action plan is abided by • Talent representative interaction • Oversight of legal compliance and likeness restrictions • Preparation of creative presentations
Education
Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Dramatic Art
University of California2001 – 2005
Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Dramatic Art
